International protection
If you export goods or sell goods and services over the internet, you may need to consider international intellectual property (IP) protection.
Every country has different laws and regulations with regard to dealing with IP. Although there are some international agreements in place to make it easier to obtain rights in other countries, applying for IP protection overseas can be a costly and complicated process. You should ensure that you are aware of all the rules, limitations and costs involved before seeking out international IP protection.
What to do...
- IP Australia has a detailed section on obtaining intellectual property rights internationally. You can find information on worldwide IP offices and multilateral and bilateral IP agreements and arrangements involving Australia.
- Find out about international patent applications.
- Read about international trade marks.
- See information on international design applications.
- Find out about circuit layout protection overseas.
- Visit the World Intellectual Property Organisation website for information on international intellectual property protection and access to international databases.
- Consult an IP professional or legal practitioner for advice and assistance.
This content is supplied to Flying Solo via business.gov.au,
the Australian Government's principal website for business information and resources.
